In 2026, voters in seven states may decide abortion-related ballot measures. Two measures—one in Missouri, and one in Nevada—are certified to appear on the ballot next November. There are five other potential measures in Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, and Virginia.
In Missouri, voters will be deciding on Amendment 3, which would overturn an amendment voters approved in 2024 by 51.6%-48.4%, which amended the state constitution to provide for a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, defined to include abortion. It would add a new section that would prohibit abortion, except in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest, as well as provide other further regulations for abortion in the state. It would also prohibit gender transition surgeries, as defined in the law, and the prescription of cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs to minors.
In Nevada, voters will be deciding on a constitutional amendment providing a right to an abortion. Because Nevada’s initiative constitutional amendment process requires voters to approve an amendment in two consecutive even-numbered years, this will be the second time voters will be deciding on this amendment. The first time voters decided on this amendment was in 2024, when 64% approved and 36% rejected it.
After the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, there was an increase in abortion-related ballot measures, particularly measures supported by campaigns describing themselves as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights. In 2024, there were 11 abortion-related measures on the ballot—the most on record in a single year.
Between 1970 and 2024, voters decided 65 abortion-related ballot measures. Of these measures, 44 were supported by organizations described as pro-life, while 21 were supported by organizations described as pro-choice. Of the pro-life measures, voters approved 12 (27%) and rejected 32 (73%), while voters approved 15 (71%) and rejected six (29%) of the pro-choice measures.
The other potential initiatives for 2026 are below:
- Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Measure: Would provide that "every person has the right to reproductive freedom and privacy, which entails the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on: pregnancy; contraception; fertility treatment; prenatal and postpartum care; childbirth; continuing one’s own pregnancy; miscarriage care; and, abortion care."
- Montana Definition of Person Amendment: Would amend the state constitution to define a person as “beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception.”
- Nebraska Establish Personhood of Preborn Children Amendment: Would provide that a "preborn child is a person at every stage of development, beginning at fertilization."
- Oregon Prohibit Laws Discriminating Based on Pregnancy Outcome, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, or Sex and Repeal Same-Sex Marriage Ban Initiative: Would expand the state’s constitutional rights provision that prohibits discrimination based on sex to also prohibit laws and policies that discriminate based on pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, health decisions, gender identity, sexual orientation and marriage, and sex. It would also repeal the ban on same-sex marriage adopted in 2004.
- Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment: Would amend the Virginia Constitution to establish the right to reproductive freedom.
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